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Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az epeúti kövesség meglétének valószínűsége különböző klinikai prediktorok alapján megbecsülhető, e faktorok szenzitivitása és specificitása azonban nem kielégítő. Az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat az epeúti kövesség diagnosztizálásának szemiinvazív precíz eszköze. Célkitűzés: Célunk az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat diagnosztikus érzékenységének vizsgálata gyanított epeúti kövesség esetén. Módszer: A prospektív vizsgálat során a betegeket az Amerikai Emésztőszervi Endoszkópos Társaság (ASGE) ajánlása szerint meghatározott prediktorok alapján közepes és magas valószínűségi csoportokba osztottuk, és endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálatot, valamint amennyiben szükséges volt, endoszkópos retrográd kolangiopankreatográfiát (ERCP) végeztünk. Eredmények: Összesen 95 beteget vizsgáltunk. Az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat 53 (56%) beteg esetében írt le epeúti kövességet: 55%-ban (39/71) a közepes valószínűségi és 58%-ban (14/24) a magas valószínűségi csoportban. Az ERCP mindegyik choledocholithiasisos esetet megerősítette. A két valószínűségi csoport között nem volt szignifikáns különbség (p = 0,56) az ERCP által igazolt epeúti kövesség tekintetében. Az ERCP csupán 1 esetben detektált epeúti kövességet a negatív endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat ellenére. Az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat specificitása 100%, szenzitivitása 98%, míg pozitív és negatív prediktív értéke 100%, valamint 98% volt. Megbeszélés: Az epeúti kövesség meglétének becslése különböző klinikai prediktorok alapján kihívást jelenthet. Következtetés: Az endoszkópos ultrahangvizsgálat szenzitív és pontos diagnosztikus eszköz a choledocholithiasis kimutatására és értékelésére, olyan esetekben is, amelyeknél az előzetes képalkotók nem találtak kövességet. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(10): 400-406., Introduction: The likelihood of common bile duct stones can be prognosticated by various clinical predictors, however, the sensitivity and specificity of these factors are moderate. Endoscopic ultrasonography has been shown to be a semi-invasive precise test for the detection of common bile duct stones., Objective: Our aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis., Method: Patients of this prospective study were categorized and divided into intermediate likelihood and high likelihood groups according to the clinical predictors defined by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines and referred for linear endosonography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed if needed., Results: A total of 95 patients were assessed. Common bile duct stones were detected by endoscopic ultrasonography overall in 53 (56%) patients: 55% (39/71) in the intermediate likelihood and 58% (14/24) in the high likelihood group of patients. The detected common bile duct stones in all patients were confirmed by ERCP. There was no significant difference (p = 0.56) in the detection of stones by ERCP between the two likelihood groups. ERCP confirmed choledocholithiasis only in one patient whose preceding endosonography did not detect stone. The specificity and sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography were 100% and 98%, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 100% and 98%, respectively., Discussion: Estimating the likelihood of choledocholithiasis based on various clinical predictors might be challenging., Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasonography is a highly sensitive and accurate diagnostic tool for the detection and evaluation of common bile duct stones also in patients with previous normal imaging findings. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(10): 400-406.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az endoszkópos retrográd cholangiopancreatographiát (ERCP) követő pancreatitis (PEP) incidenciája a magas kockázatú betegcsoportban 14,7%. Célkitűzés: A munkacsoportunk által szerzett tapasztalatok elemzése. Módszerek: A profilaktikus pancreassztentes (PPS), magas kockázatú betegek adatait tartalmazó prospektív adatbázisunkat elemeztük retrospektív módon. Az adatokat a PEP-incidencia és a súlyosság tekintetében összehasonlítottuk a korábbi, hasonlóan magas kockázatú, sztent nélküli beteganyagunkkal, illetve a sztenteléssel kapcsolatos szövődményeket és a különböző sztenttípusokat is elemeztük. A Cotton-kritériumok szerint értékeltük a PEP-t. Eredmények: A 317, magas kockázatú betegből 288 esetben (90,9%) volt sikeres a PPS-implantáció. A sztent nélküli kontrollcsoportba 121, magas kockázatú beteget választottunk be. A sikeresen sztentelt betegekben a PEP incidenciája 10,0% volt. Ez és a PEP súlyossága (enyhe: 8,3%, középsúlyos: 1,4%, súlyos: 0,3%) is szignifikánsan alacsonyabb volt a PPS nélküli beteganyaghoz (PEP: 31,4%, enyhe: 15,7%, középsúlyos: 10,7%, súlyos: 5,0%) és a sikertelenül sztentelt betegekhez (PEP: 41,3%, enyhe: 24,1%, középsúlyos: 13,8%, súlyos: 3,4%) képest. Az utóbbi két csoport közötti különbség nem volt szignifikáns. A sztenttel kapcsolatos szövődmények közül a leggyakrabban a korai sztentkicsúszást (5/288 beteg, 1,74%) és a proximalis sztentmigrációt (3/288 beteg, 1,04%) észleltük. A sztenttípusok közül a legkedvezőbb mellékhatás-profilúnak a Freeman-típusú, belső füllel és külső "pigtail" véggel ellátott sztenteket találtuk. Következtetés: A profilaktikus pancreassztentelés hatékonyan csökkenti a PEP incidenciáját, és a súlyosságát az enyhébb esetek felé tolja el. Alkalmazása viszonylag egyszerű, azonban ismerni kell használatának megfelelő technikáját, időben történő eltávolításának és a szövődmények felismerésének fontosságát. Eredményeink és a nemzetközi ajánlások alapján magas PEP-rizikójú betegekben a PPS rutinszerű alkalmazása minden ERCP-laborban ajánlott. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(1): 31-38., Introduction: The most frequent complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Its incidence in the high-risk patient population is 14.7%., Objective: To analyze 10 years experiences of our working group., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our prospective database of high-risk patients treated with prophylactic pancreatic stents (PPS) including the period between 2009 and 2014. We compared PEP incidence and severity findings with our historical data of pre-PPS period of similarly high-risk patients (no-stent group), furthermore analyzed the complications of PPS insertion and different stent types. PEP was defined and categorized according to the Cotton criteria., Results: In 317 high-risk patients, PPS implantation was successful in 288 cases (90.9%). The no-stent group comprised of 121 patients. Incidence and the severity of PEP in the successfully stented group (all: 10.0%; mild: 8.3%, moderate: 1.4%, severe: 0.3%) were significantly lower compared to the no-stent group (all: 31.4%; mild: 15.7%, moderate: 10.7%, severe: 5.0%) and the unsuccessfully stented group (all: 41.3%; mild: 24.1%, moderate: 13.8%, severe: 3.4%). The difference between the latter two groups was not significant. Only early dislodgment (5/288 patients, 1.74%) and proximal migration (3/288 patients, 1.04%) were observed as stent-related complications. Freeman type (single inner flange, outer pigtail end) stent was the best based on the complication profile., Conclusion: Prophylactic pancreatic stenting effectively lowers the incidence and severity of PEP. We should recognize the proper technic of its application and the importance of proper timing of its extraction and identification of complications. Utilization of PPSs in high-risk patients is strongly recommended in every ERCP center. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(1): 31-38.

Objective: The efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) on gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) may be impaired over time and depends greatly on the application settings. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) may be an alternative, but study on its efficacy is limited. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of APC and EBL in treating GAVE., Methods: Changes in the need for blood transfusion, number of treatment sessions and hospitalizations were retrospectively assessed in 63 transfusion-dependent patients with GAVE (mean age: 67.1 y, 54.0% female) treated with either APC or EBL (45 and 18 patients, respectively) in four tertiary endoscopic centers., Results: Both methods substantially increased hemoglobin levels and decreased patients' need for a transfusion (22.0 ± 4.0 g/L and -5.62 ± 2.30 units of packed red blood cells [RBC] with APC, and 27.4 ± 6.1 g/L and -4.79 ± 2.46 units of packed RBC with EBL), without a significant statistical difference between the methods. However, fewer EBL sessions were required both for the cessation of need for a transfusion compared with those for the resolution of GAVE lesions (0.90 ± 0.10 vs 1.69 ± 0.31, P = 0.028)., Conclusions: Both APC and EBL are effective in GAVE treatment. EBL may be superior in terms of number of treatment sessions, but not in its influence on hemoglobin level and need for transfusion. Further prospective studies with large, homogeneous sample size and standardized APC settings are needed., (© 2020 Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Gastrointestinal bleeding has a profound impact on public health due to its high prevalence and severity. With the elderly population taking more anticoagulants/antiaggregants/non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, the digestive bleeding will certainly raise more and more challenges in quantity as well as in severity for the public healthcare system. The emergency medicine specialists and gastroenterologists have a central role in the management of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding. In certain cases, radiologists, invasive radiologists, intensive care specialists and surgeons should also be involved in the decision making process and management of patients. Therefore, Hungarian experts felt the need to elaborate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, practical local guideline reflecting the frequently arisen aspects based on current international guidelines. This guideline proposal covers topics of basic requirements, initial assessment of patients, risk evaluation, laboratory tests, hemodynamic resuscitation in the case of gastrointestinal bleeding followed by its consecutive steps of diagnosis and therapy sorted by location of the source of the hemorrhage. The authors give practical instructions for unsuccessful hemostasis or rebleeding. Finally, the role of surgery is also summarized in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(30): 1231-1242.

Objectives: To analyze risk factors of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in high risk patients in whom prophylactic pancreatic stents (PPSs) were intended to use to prevent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP)-related complications. Patients and methods: Three hundred and seventeen high-risk patients for developing PEP were considered for preventive pancreatic stent placement in our endoscopy unit over 5 years. 5 Fr, 3-5 cm long PPSs were used. All data were collected in a predefined database. Development of PEP despite PPS placement was analyzed. Results: PEP occurred in 29 of 288 successfully stented patients (10.07%; 24 mild, four moderate, one severe). PPS was protective against all risks factors except for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). PPS related complication rate was 2.78% ( n  = 8). Unsuccessful stenting occurred in 29 patients (9.15%), PEP developed in 41.38% ( n  = 12; seven mild, four moderate, one severe). Those patients who had more patient related risk factors were more likely to develop PEP despite preventive measures with PPS. On the contrary, PPS placement was less successful in patients who had more procedure related risk factors. Conclusions: PPS is protective against all risks factors of PEP except for SOD in high-risk patients. More vulnerable patients who have more patient-related risk factors are more likely to develop PEP despite PPS is used, while more complex procedures predispose to unsuccessful PPS placement in patients with more procedure-related risk factors. PPS insertion in high-risk patients is effective and safe preventive method and the procedure related complication rate is reasonably low.

Background: C-reactive protein level (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) have been variably used in clinical trials on acute pancreatitis (AP). We assessed their potential role., Methods: First, we investigated studies which have used CRP or WBC, to describe their current role in trials on AP. Second, we extracted the data of 1435 episodes of AP from our registry. CRP and WBC on admission, within 24 h from the onset of pain and their highest values were analyzed. Descriptive statistical tools as Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U , Levene's F tests, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and AUC (Area Under the Curve) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were performed., Results: Our literature review showed extreme variability of CRP used as an inclusion criterion or as a primary outcome or both in past and current trials on AP. In our cohort, CRP levels on admission poorly predicted mortality and severe cases of AP; AUC: 0.669 (CI:0.569-0.770); AUC:0.681 (CI: 0.601-0.761), respectively. CRP levels measured within 24 h from the onset of pain failed to predict mortality or severity; AUC: 0.741 (CI:0.627-0.854); AUC:0.690 (CI:0.586-0.793), respectively. The highest CRP during hospitalization had equally poor predictive accuracy for mortality and severity AUC:0.656 (CI:0.544-0.768); AUC:0.705 (CI:0.640-0.769) respectively. CRP within 24 h from the onset of pain used as an inclusion criterion markedly increased the combined event rate of mortality and severe AP (13% for CRP > 25 mg/l and 28% for CRP > 200 mg/l)., Conclusion: CRP within 24 h from the onset of pain as an inclusion criterion elevates event rates and reduces the number of patients required in trials on AP.

Background: Indication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is challenging., Aims: In this retrospective study, we analyzed real-world data to understand the ERCP practice in ABP in Hungarian centers., Methods: Clinical data on ABP patients (2013-2015) were extracted from our large multicentric database. Outcomes, quality indicators and the role of early timing of ERCP (<24 h from admission) were analyzed., Results: There were 356 patients with ABP. ERCP was performed in 267 (75%). Performance indicators of ERCP proved to be suboptimal with a biliary cannulation rate of 84%. Successful vs unsuccessful cannulation of naïve papilla resulted in lower rates of local [22.9% vs 40.9%, (P = 0.012)] and systemic [4.9% vs 13.6%, (P = 0.042)] complications. Successful vs unsuccessful clearance resulted in lower rates of local complications [22.5% vs 40.8%, (P = 0.008)]. Successful cannulation and drainage correlated with less severe course of ABP [3.6% vs 15.9%, (P = 0.001) and 4.1% vs 12.2%, (P = 0.033)] respectively. A tendency of an increased rate of local complications was observed if ERCP was performed later [<24 h: 21.1% (35/166); between 24-48 h: 23.4% (11/47); >48h: 37.2% (16/43) (P = 0.088)]., Conclusion: Optimization of ERCP indication in ABP patients is critical as suboptimal ERCP practices in ABP without definitive stone detection are associated with poorer clinical outcomes., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Unwarranted administration of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis presents a global challenge. The clinical reasoning behind the misuse is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate current clinical practices and develop recommendations that guide clinicians in prescribing antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis., Methods: Four methods were used. 1) Systematic data collection was performed to summarize current evidence; 2) a retrospective questionnaire was developed to understand the current global clinical practice; 3) five years of prospectively collected data were analysed to identify the clinical parameters used by medical teams in the decision making process, and finally; 4) the UpToDate Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was applied to provide evidence based recommendations for healthcare professionals., Results: The systematic literature search revealed no consensus on the start of AB therapy in patients with no bacterial culture test. Retrospective data collection on 9728 patients from 22 countries indicated a wide range (31-82%) of antibiotic use frequency in AP. Analysis of 56 variables from 962 patients showed that clinicians initiate antibiotic therapy based on increased WBC and/or elevated CRP, lipase and amylase levels. The above mentioned four laboratory parameters showed no association with infection in the early phase of acute pancreatitis. Instead, procalcitonin levels proved to be a better biomarker of early infection. Patients with suspected infection because of fever had no benefit from antibiotic therapy., Conclusions: The authors formulated four consensus statements to urge reduction of unjustified antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis and to use procalcitonin rather than WBC or CRP as biomarkers to guide decision-making., (Copyright © 2019 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Ingestion of a massive amount of metallic mercury was thought to be harmless until the last century. After that, in a number of cases, mercury ingestion has been associated with appendicitis, impaired liver function, memory deficits, aspiration leading to pneumonitis and acute renal failure. Treatment includes gastric lavage, giving laxatives and chelating agents, but rapid removal of metallic mercury with gastroscopy has not been used., Patient Concerns: An 18-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department after drinking 1000 g of metallic mercury as a suicide attempt., Diagnosis: Except from mild umbilical tenderness, he had no other symptoms. Radiography showed a metallic density in the area of the stomach., Intervention: Gastroscopy was performed to remove the mercury. One large pool and several small droplets of mercury were removed from the stomach., Outcomes: Blood and urine mercury levels of the patient remained low during hospitalization. No symptoms of mercury intoxication developed during the follow-up period., Lessons: Massive mercury ingestion may cause several symptoms, which can be prevented with prompt treatment. We used endoscopy to remove the mercury, which shortened the exposure time and minimized the risk of aspiration. This is the first case where endoscopy was used for the management of mercury ingestion.

Background: Pancreatic ductal HCO3(-) secretion is critically dependent on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel (CFTR) and the solute-linked carrier 26 member 6 anion transporter (SLC26A6). Deterioration of HCO3(-) secretion is observed in chronic pancreatitis (CP), and CFTR mutations increase CP risk. Therefore, SLC26A6 is a reasonable candidate for a CP susceptibility gene, which has not been investigated in CP patients so far., Methods: As a first screening cohort, 106 subjects with CP and 99 control subjects with no pancreatic disease were recruited from the Hungarian National Pancreas Registry. In 60 non-alcoholic CP cases the entire SLC26A6 coding region was sequenced. In the Hungarian cohort variants c.616G > A (p.V206M) and c.1191C > A (p.P397=) were further genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In a German replication cohort all exons were sequenced in 40 non-alcoholic CP cases and variant c.616G > A (p.V206M) was further analyzed by sequencing in 321 CP cases and 171 controls., Results: Sequencing of the entire coding region revealed four common variants: intronic variants c.23 + 78&#95;110del, c.183-4C > A, c.1134 + 32C > A, and missense variant c.616G > A (p.V206M) which were found in linkage disequilibrium indicating a conserved haplotype. The distribution of the haplotype did not show a significant difference between patients and controls in the two cohorts. A synonymous variant c.1191C > A (p.P397=) and two intronic variants c.1248 + 9&#95;20del and c.-10C > T were detected in single cases., Conclusion: Our data show that SLC26A6 variants do not alter the risk for the development of CP., (Copyright © 2015 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is an accurate imaging modality in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, its use has been substantially reduced due to the invasiveness of procedure, the risk of complications and the widespread availability of non-invasive cross-section imaging techniques (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopic ultrasound). Since the introduction of endoscopic sphincterotomy, ERP has transformed from diagnostic method to an almost exclusively therapeutic procedure. Pancreatic duct injection substantially increased the risk of post-ERP pancreatitis (1.6%-15.7%); therefore, according to international guidelines ERP is recommended only in cases where biliary intervention is required. However, the role of ERP in the management of pancreatic diseases is currently not clearly defined, but in some cases the filling of pancreatic duct may provide essential information complementing the results of non-invasive imaging techniques. The aim of this publication is to systematically summarize the literature dealing with the diagnostic yield of ERP. We would like to define the precise indications of ERP and overview a diagnostic protocol of pancreatic diseases depending on international guidelines and the opinion of Hungarian experts, because it may improve the diagnostic accuracy, minimize of burden of patients and reduce the risk of procedure related complications.

Background: The outcome of the most common biliary form of acute pancreatitis has not changed even with the better described indications for early endoscopic intervention. It may be due to the fact that this intrevention theoretically can cause further pancreatic injury or cannot always relieve the pancreatic duct obstruction. We hypothesize that maintaining the outflow of the pancreatic duct with preventive pancreatic stents at the early ERCP improves the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis., Methods/design: PREPAST is a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. Patients with acute biliary pancreatitis with coexisting cholangitis are randomized to undergo urgent endoscopic intervention with or without pancreatic stenting within 48 h from the onset of pain, and in addition patients without signs of cholangitis but cholestasis are randomly allocated to recieve conservative treatment or early endoscopic intervention with or without pancreatic stenting within 48 h from the onset of pain. Patients without acute cholangitis and signs of cholestasis recieve conservative treatment. 230 patients are planned to be enrolled during a 48 months period from different centers. The primary endpoint is the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis as described by the latest guidelines. Secondary endpoints include mortality data, and other variables not analyzed as a primary endpoint but related to the pancreatitis or the pancreatic stenting., Discussion: The PREPAST trial is designed to show whether early endoscopic intervention with the usage of preventive pancreatic stenting improves the outcome of acute biliary pancreatitis. The study has been registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) Register (trial ID: ISRCTN13517695)., (Copyright © 2015 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Endoscopic ultrasound is one of those diagnostic methods in gastrointestinal endoscopy which has developed rapidly in the last decade and has became exceedingly available to visualize the walls of the internal organs in details corresponding to histological layers, or analyze the adjacent structures. Fine needles and other endoscopic accessories can be introduced into the neighbouring tissues under the guidance of endoscopic ultrasound, and diagnostic and minimally invasive therapeutic interventions can be performed. The endoscopic ultrasound became more widely available in Hungary in recent years. This review focuses on the indications, benefits and complications of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound. We recommend this article to gastroenterologists, surgeons, internists, pulmonologists, and to specialists in oncology and radiology. This recommendation was based on the consensus of the Board members of the Endoscopic Ultrasound Section of the Hungarian Gastroenterological Society.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the posterior mediastinum is technically a relatively simple and safe procedure, and it can provide important information for the further management of patients., Aim: To analyze and compare the results of mediastinal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration with the data available in the literature., Patients and Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed their prospective database on mediastinal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of 49 patients referred to their endoscopy centre between 1 November 2009 and 1 November 2012. For the fine needle aspiration 22 and 25 G needles were used. Two to six needle passes were performed in each patient. All slides were prepared at the endoscopy unit and analyzed at the cytology laboratory., Results: The authors performed mediastinal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for enlarged lymph nodes or suspected mediastinal malignancy in all but 4 patients (2 suspected oesophageal cancers, 1 suspected benign oesophageal stenosis with wall thickening and 1 cardia tumour, all with non-diagnostic endoscopic biopsies). Five patients were excluded from the analysis since fine needle aspiration was not performed in them. Benign lesions were suspected based on the endoscopic ultrasound morphology in 7, and malignant disease in 37 patients. In 3 cases samples obtained by biopsy were not informative for cytological analysis. Cytology confirmed all benign lesions and showed malignancy in 28 cases. Cytology failed to reveal malignancy in 6 patients, although it was suspected based upon endoscopic ultrasound finding. Furthermore, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration provided the diagnosis in 15 of the 17 patients when bronchoscopy was non-diagnostic. The diagnostic accuracy of the EUS-FNA was the following: sensitivity 82%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 1.0, negative predictive value 0.54. Only one infectious complication was encountered after fine needle aspiration despite antibiotic prophylaxis., Discussion: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of mediastinal pathology is an accurate, safe and technically relatively easy procedure, however it requires practice and skills in mediastinal anatomy. It has an excellent positive predictive value, a very good sensitivity, but slightly poor negative predictive value. The results of this study are concordant with the literature data. The authors suggest that at least 4 needle passes in the absence of on-site pathologist should be performed in order to minimize the number of false-negative results.

Introduction: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction usually occurs after cholecystectomy, but it can sometimes be detected in patients with intact gallbladder too. The diagnostic value of the non-invasive functional tests is not established in this group of patients and the effects of sphincterotomy on transpapillary bile outflow and gallbladder motility are unknown., Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy on the gallbladder ejection fraction, transpapillary bile outflow and the clinical symptoms of patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome., Patients and Methods: 36 patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome underwent quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy, and all of them had decreased cholecytokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction. The endoscopic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi showed abnormal sphincter function in 26 patients who were enrolled the study. Before and after endoscopic sphincterotomy all patients had ultrasonographic measurement of cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction with and without nitroglycerin pretreatment and scintigraphy was repeated as well. The effects of sphincterotomy on gallbladder ejection fraction and transpapillary biliary outflow were evaluated. In addition, changes in biliary pain score with a previously validated questionnaire were also determined., Results: All 26 patients had decreased gallbladder ejection fraction before sphincterotomy measured with scintigraphy (19+18%) and ultrasound (16+9.7%), which was improved after nitroglycerin pretreatment (48.2+17%; p<0.005). Detected with both methods, the ejection fraction was in the normal range after sphincterotomy (52+37% and 40.8+16.5%), but nitroglycerin pretreatment failed to produce further improvement (48.67+22.2%, NS). Based on scintigraphic examination sphincterotomy significantly improved transpapillary biliary outflow (common bile duct half time 63±33 min vs. 37±17 min; p<0.05). According to results obtained from questionneries, 22 of the 26 patients gave an account of significant symptom improvement after sphincterotomy., Conclusions: Endoscopic sphincterotomy improves cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction, transpapillary biliary outflow as well as biliary symptoms in patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction with nitroglycerin pretreatment, measured with ultrasonography can be useful to select a subgroup of patients who can benefit from sphincterotomy.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of pancreatic duct (PD) stenting following endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) compared with EST alone in reducing complication rate and improving overall outcome in acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP)., Methods: Between 1 January 2009 and 1 July 2010, 141 nonalcoholic patients with clinical, laboratory and imaging evidence of ABP were enrolled. Emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed within 72 h from the onset of pain. Seventy patients underwent successful ERCP, EST, and stone extraction (control group); 71 patients (PD stent group) had EST, stone extraction and small-caliber (5 Fr, 3-5 cm) pancreatic stent insertion. All patients were hospitalized for medical therapy and jejunal feeding and were followed up., Results: The mean age, Glasgow score, symptom to ERCP time, mean amylase and CRP levels at initial presentation were not significantly different in the PD stent group compared to the control group: 60.6 vs. 64.3, 3.21 vs. 3.27, 34.4 vs. 40.2, 2446.9 vs. 2114.3, 121.1 vs. 152.4, respectively. Complications (admission to intensive care unit, pancreatic necrosis with septicemia, large (>6 cm) pseudocyst formation, need for surgical necrosectomy) were less frequent in the PD stent group resulting in a significantly lower overall complication rate (9.86% vs. 31.43%, p < 0.002). Mortality rates (0% vs. 4.28%) were comparable, reasonably low and without any significant differences., Conclusions: Temporary small-caliber PD stent placement may offer sufficient drainage to reverse the process of ABP. Combined with EST the process results in a significantly less complication rate and better clinical outcome compared with EST alone during the early course of ABP.

Unlabelled: Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a promising new endoscopic technique for en block resection of early, superficial, flat, and laterally spreading gastrointestinal neoplasms. The primary aims of this prospective study were to summarize the first Hungarian experience with endoscopic submucosal dissection, and to compare the experimental in vivo procedures in pigs with the human application of this technique in two academic centers., Methods: The ex vivo Erlangen pig model was used until initial competence was achieved. Thereafter 15 endoscopic submucosal dissection procedures were performed in up to 5 sessions in living pigs under general anesthesia. After submucosal injection with saline Fujinone ball tip, a Flush knife was used with a transparent hood for circumferential incision and submucosal dissection. The following variables were analyzed: specimen size, complete and en bloc resection rate, total duration of the procedure, and complications. Furthermore, between 2009 and 2012, 14 endoscopic submucosal dissections were carried out in humans; 1 duodenal, 3 gastric and 10 colorectal interventions were performed due to large laterally spreading intramucosal neoplasms. The specimen size, en bloc resection rate, total duration of the procedure and complications were next analyzed., Results: 87% complete resection rate, 29.4 ± 19.5 cm2 specimen size and 136.2 ± 26.8 min of procedure duration were achieved in the live pig models. Nontransmural damages of the muscular layer occurred in 3/15 (20%) cases which were successfully closed with hemoclips, except in one pig that died due to fatal esophageal perforation. All bleedings were easily managed with hot biopsy forceps coagulation and hemoclips without hemodynamic instability. In humans, endoscopic submucosal dissection was accomplished with an 11/14 (79%) en block resection rate, with average resected specimen size of 11.56 ± 4.9 cm2 and with 157 ± 55 min of operating time. Two cases of bleeding and 2 cases of perforation occurred (14%), all of which were managed endoscopically. After 1.5 year of average follow up, local recurrence occurred in one case only. In addition, due to the 3 incomplete resections and unsuccessful endoscopic submucosal dissection, surgical intervention was required in 4 cases altogether., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the first Hungarian experience with endoscopic submucosal dissection. Training in live pig models could help endoscopists to overcome the learning curve and minimize the risk of complications before starting the procedure in humans. Reduction in the resection time and low risk of complications, especially bleeding, could be achieved by the application of a flush knife.

Unlabelled: Prospective data collection seems to be essential in evidence-based medicine. Because of the new therapeutic options, the need for standard data collection and testing has significantly increased. In Hungary, a registry for patients with inflammatory bowel disease has already been set up, which makes it possible for clinicians to collect prospective data on their patients., Aim: Basic characteristics of the database of patients with ulcerative colitis are presented in this paper., Methods: The inflammatory bowel disease registry uses the programme of Microsoft Access database management system. Data are stored in a central server., Results: The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases has been permanently increasing in Hungary; however, its overall prevalence is still low among the European countries. The frequent administration of immunosuppressive medications (azathioprine and corticosteroids) and their increased doses worsen the estimation of the activity., Conclusions: 1., It would be very useful to gain prospective data from all national centres. This kind of database would be able to give a complete picture regarding the Hungarian therapeutical practice. 2., Medications of patients may alter the clinical value of the laboratory findings in the process of determining the severity of the disease.

Endoscopic ultrasonography is a relatively new technology that combines the use of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes with high-resolution ultrasound technology. It proved to be highly accurate and useful in the staging of gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as in characterizing the nature of subepithelial lesions and disorders of the pancreaticobiliary system. In this overview the variety of current evidence based diagnostic options of endoscopic ultrasonography are discussed.

Barogenic esophageal injury or Boerhaave syndrome is an esophageal perforation entailing very high mortality and morbidity. Endoscopic techniques have been introduced in the treatment of various types of esophageal perforation. This report describes the first patient who underwent a successful endoscopic clipping involving sealing of a transpleural esophageal rupture within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Background: To date, most cases of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) have been reported from Japan. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical features and management of AIP cases in Hungary., Methods: The demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging findings, extrapancreatic involvement, treatment response and recurrence were evaluated in the first 17 patients diagnosed with AIP in Hungary., Results: The mean age at presentation was 42.7 years (range: 16-74); 47% of the patients were women. New-onset mild abdominal pain (76%), weight loss (41%) and jaundice (41%) were the most common symptoms, with inflammatory bowel disease being the most frequent (36%) extrapancreatic manifestation. Diffuse pancreatic swelling was seen in 7 patients (41%) and a focal pancreatic mass in 8 (47%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed pancreatic duct strictures in all study patients. The serum IgG4 level at presentation was elevated in 62% of the 8 patients in whom it was measured. All the percutaneous core biopsies (5 patients) and surgical specimens (2 patients), and 2 of the 4 biopsies of the papilla of Vater revealed the typical characteristic findings of AIP: a diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, marked interstitial fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis. Immunostaining indicated IgG4-positive plasma cells in 62% of the 8 patients in whom it was performed. Granulocytic epithelial lesions (GEL) were present in 3 patients. The patients without GELs were older (mean age 59 years), while those with GEL were younger (mean age 34 years), and 2 of 3 were female and had ulcerative colitis. A complete response to steroid treatment was achieved in all 15 patients. Because of the suspicion of a pancreatic tumor, 2 patients with focal AIP underwent partial pancreatectomy. One patient relapsed, but responded to azathioprine., Conclusions: This first Hungarian series has confirmed several previously reported findings on AIP. AIP with GEL was relatively frequent among our patients: these patients tended to be younger than in earlier studies and displayed a female preponderance with a high coincidence of ulcerative colitis. Performance of a percutaneous biopsy is strongly recommended. The response to immunosuppressive therapy was excellent. and IAP., (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aim: To characterize functional biliary pain and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) patients with and without sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) proved by endoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry (ESOM), and to assess the post-endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) outcome., Methods: We prospectively investigated 85 cholecystectomized patients referred for ERCP because of PCS and suspected SOD. On admission, all patients completed our questionnaire. Physical examination, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (QHBS), and ERCP were performed in all patients. Based on clinical and ERCP findings 15 patients had unexpected bile duct stone disease and 15 patients had SOD biliary type I. ESOM demonstrated an elevated basal pressure in 25 patients with SOD biliary-type III. In the remaining 30 cholecystectomized patients without SOD, the liver function tests, ERCP, QHBS and ESOM were all normal. As a control group, 30 'asymptomatic' cholecystectomized volunteers (attended to our hospital for general cardiovascular screening) completed our questionnaire, which is consisted of 50 separate questions on GI symptoms and abdominal pain characteristics. Severity of the abdominal pain (frequency and intensity) was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). In 40 of 80 patients having definite SOD (i.e. patients with SOD biliary type I and those with elevated SO basal pressure on ESOM), an EST was performed just after ERCP. In these patients repeated questionnaires were filled at each follow-up visit (at 3 and 6 mo) and a second look QHBS was performed 3 mo after the EST to assess the functional response to EST., Results: The analysis of characteristics of the abdominal pain demonstrated that patients with common bile duct stone and definite SOD had a significantly higher score of symptomatic agreement with previously determined biliary-like pain features than patient groups of PCS without SOD and controls. In contrary, no significant differences were found when the pain severity scores were compared in different groups of PCS patients. In patients with definite SOD, EST induced a significant acceleration of the transpapillary bile flow; and based on the comparison of VASs obtained from the pre- and post-EST questionnaires, the severity scores of abdominal pain were significantly improved, however, only 15 of 35 (43%) patients became completely pain free. Post-EST severity of abdominal pain by VASs was significantly higher in patients with predominant dyspepsia at initial presentation as compared to those without dyspeptic symptoms., Conclusion: Persistent GI symptoms and general patient dissatisfaction is a rather common finding after EST in patients with SOD, and correlated with the presence of predominant dyspeptic symptoms at the initial presentation, but does not depend on the technical and functional success of EST.

Background/aims: Although quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (QHBS) was originally suggested as a promising method in the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), it was recently claimed that QHBS displays poor reproducibility and specificity in cholecystectomized patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the reproducibility of QHBS in cholecystectomized patients., Methodology: 28 cholecystectomized patients with suspected SOD underwent QHBS evaluation on two separate occasions. On the basis of the clinical and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) data, patients with suspected SOD were categorized by applying the Geenen and Hogan classification: 10 were identified as having SOD of biliary type I (SO stenosis group), and the remaining 18 patients as having SOD of biliary type II or III (SO dyskinesia group). During the same period, 12 asymptomatic cholecystectomized individuals (control group) were recruited to undergo QHBS evaluation on two separate occasions. QHBS was performed with our standard method in all subjects. After an overnight fast, 140MBq 99mTc-EHIDA was injected intravenously. Digital images were recorded continuously on a 128 x 128 matrix, at one frame/min for 90 min. For the final analysis, the liver-choledochus T. difference (LCTD), half-time of excretion of the common bile duct (CBD T1/2), and the duodenum appearance time (DAT) were applied., Results: In the 12 asymptomatic controls, the QHBS parameters were highly reproducible, all but 6 of the 72 separate parameters obtained from two repeated studies were within our normal limits. In all 10 patients belonging in the SO stenosis group, the QHBS parameters were markedly abnormal and again highly reproducible. All of the 60 separate quantitative parameters obtained in this group from the two repeated studies were high above our normal range. In contrast, in the 18 patients with SO dyskinesia, the QHBS parameters were distinctly variable and poorly reproducible. Of the 108 separate quantitative parameters obtained in this group the two separate studies, 55 were normal and 53 were above our normal range. Of the 18 SO dyskinesia patients, only 9 had at least one quantitative parameter abnormal in both QHBS examinations., Conclusions: QHBS is a highly reproducible technique in cholecystectomized controls and in patients with SO stenosis. In contrast, the reproducibility of QHBS is poor in patients with SO dyskinesia, which is probably a consequence of the disease characteristics rather than methodological insufficiency of QHBS.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to develop a new pharmacologic method during hepatobiliary scintigraphy by which patients with functional and organic forms of gallbladder (GB) dysfunction can be differentiated., Methods: Quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (QHBS) was performed on 31 patients with impaired GB motility selected by cerulein-augmented ultrasonography. Nineteen patients had acalculous biliary pain (ABP) and suspected GB dyskinesia, 6 patients had celiac disease, and 6 patients had type II diabetes mellitus. Sixty minutes after the isotope administration, 1 ng/bwkg/min cerulein (CCK10) was infused for 10 minutes, and then from the 90th minute, an equivalent dose of CCK10 was infused in the presence of 0.5 mg sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in 12 or placebo in 7 consecutive patients. The GB ejection fraction (GBEF) was calculated repeatedly in time periods from 60 to 90 and from 90 to 120 minutes., Results: In the majority of patients with ABP and suspected GB dyskinesia, CCK10 and GTN coadministration normalized the previously impaired GB-emptying. When the cumulative results of all 12 patients were calculated, we demonstrated significant differences (P=0.003) in the GBEF between the first (CCK10) versus the second (CCK10 plus GTN) stimuli: 19+/-11% versus 40+/-17%, respectively. In contrast, in 12 patients with celiac sprue and diabetes mellitus, no differences in the GBEF were detected when the first (CCK10 alone) versus the second (CCK10 plus GTN) stimuli was compared: 21+/-10% versus 22+/-13%, respectively. Finally, placebo and CCK10 coadministration in 7 consecutive patients with ABP and suspected GB dyskinesia did not influence the GBEF as compared with CCK10 alone: 13+/-9% versus 15+/-10%, respectively., Conclusion: GTN and CCK10 coadministration induces a significant improvement of the GBEF in patients with GB dyskinesia. The application of this new pharmacologic test during QHBS permitted the noninvasive separation of those patients with secondary impaired GB-emptying as a result of GB dyskinesia from those with primary forms of GB hypokinesia.

Background: Nalbuphine is an ideal supplementary analgesic drug for midazolam-induced conscious sedation during operative endoscopy because it has no cardiovascular effect and only a moderate depressive effect on respiration. However, no data are available as to whether nalbuphine is suitable as an analgesic drug during endoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of nalbuphine on the sphincter of Oddi motility in patients with a suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction., Methods: Seventeen patients who were suspected clinically to have SOD after cholecystectomy were prospectively investigated. Five mg of midazolam was administered intravenously before the procedure to induce conscious sedation. After approximately 5 minutes of stationary sphincter of Oddi manometry recording (baseline), either 10 mg of nalbuphine or saline solution (placebo) was administered intravenously in random fashion and pressure was recorded for a further 5 minutes. Maximum sphincter of Oddi basal pressure and average phasic contraction amplitude and frequency were measured before and after the infusion of the drug or saline solution., Results: Nalbuphine administration effectively enhanced the sedation obtained with midazolam without any adverse effect. When the sphincter of Oddi manometric periods before and after the administration of nalbuphine versus placebo were compared, there was a significantly increased basal sphincter of Oddi pressure only in the nalbuphine group: respectively, 49 (18) and 77 (29) mm Hg (p = 0.003) versus 51 (24) and 49 (23) mm Hg (p = 0.9). The phasic contraction amplitude did not change in response to nalbuphine, but the phasic contraction frequency increased significantly, from 5 (3) to 8 (4) per minute (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Nalbuphine has a stimulatory effect on sphincter of Oddi motility in patients with a suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Nalbuphine should not be used as premedication before endoscopic ERCP if sphincter of Oddi manometry is to be performed.

Vasovagal syncope or common faint is the most frequent form of syncopes. With regard to the different involvement of the efferent mechanisms, several forms of the neurally mediated syncope syndromes are recognized. The authors present a case of mixed type vasovagal syncope, diagnosed by tilt table testing. The efferent mechanisms of syncope included Wenckebach type atrioventricular block due to increased vagal tone, and sympathetic withdrawal, reflected by sudden drop in the blood pressure. The significance and interrelationship of these factors are discussed.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the exogenous nitric oxide donor glyceryl trinitrate on cerulein-induced gallbladder contraction in patients with acalculous biliary pain. Quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed on 33 patients. From the 60th min cerulein (1 ng/kg body wt/min for 10 min intravenous) then from the 90th min the same dose of cerulein plus glyceryl trinitrate (0.5 mg sublingually) (21 patients) or placebo (12 patients) were administered and the gallbladder ejection fraction was measured repeatedly. After the first dose of caerulein, the gallbladder ejection fraction was less than 35% in 23 of 33 patients (nonresponders), while it was more than 35% in the remaining 10 patients (responders). After the second dose of cerulein in 16 nonresponder patients glyceryl trinitrate administration significantly increased the previously impaired gallbladder ejection fraction while in 7 nonresponder patients placebo administration had no effect. In conclusion, normalization of the gallbladder ejection fraction in the majority of patients following glyceryl trinitrate administration suggests that impairment of gallbladder emptying is caused by a functional motility disorder rather than any organic disease.